Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta has the capability of either winning its division or capturing a Wild Card spot in the NFC. Winning a game past that is a different story.

Fans won't be satisfied unless the franchise captures a victory in the playoffs. Therefore, not even getting a chance in the postseason would be deemed disastrous for Matt Ryan, Mike Smith and the rest of the Falcons.

Buffalo Bills

Ryan Fitzpatrick is who we thought he was. The initial seven games in which the Harvard product threw for 14 TDs and led Buffalo to a 5-2 mark were simply a mirage.

A healthy Fred Jackson isn't enough to vault the Bills past the New York Jets, much less the front-running New England Patriots. However, Bills fans would like it if he can erase what occurred over the course of last season's final seven contests.

Carolina Panthers

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Cam Newton Regresses

How could you not be hopeful about what's going on in Carolina?

The Panthers have the brightest young quarterback in the game. Last year's top pick, Cam Newton, proved to be worth the hype...and then some. He broke numerous rookie records and kept his team in contention for victories nearly every week.

A six or seven-win season in 2012 won't be deemed a disappointment. A year in which Newton struggles would.

Chicago Bears

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The Offense is Undermanned Again

Playing with Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, the Bears are legitimate contenders in the NFC. Without them, they are downright anemic on offense.

So, it's safe to say that the health of those two stars is imperative for Chicago's success. For Forte, the Bears simply hope he's on their roster. The Tulane product is now a free agent and hoping for more money.

Take away Cutler and Forte, and the Chicago offense may be banking on Caleb Hanie and Marion Barber.

Cincinnati Bengals

For a team widely expected to be at the cellar, the Cincinnati Bengals were one of the year's most pleasant surprises.

Leading the way for Marvin Lewis' club was a pair of rookies: quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green.

So, it's only natural that we could envision more of the same for Cinci in the near future. One can't forget that sometimes, rookies who stunned opponents in year No. 1 are more readily handled in year No. 2.

Green Bay Packers

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They're Affected by the Loss to the Giants

The Packers could go one of two ways in 2012. They could either become a victim of a severe hangover after their crushing loss to New York in the divisional round after a 15-1 regular year. Or, they could come back even stronger and determined to right their wrong in the previous postseason.

The first possibility is not likely. But there is still a chance it could happen considering that this was a near-dominant team poised to win a second straight Super Bowl.

Houston Texans

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Opposing Offenses Figure out Their Defense

There are many things that could go wrong here.

First, Matt Schaub could find the injured list, and the Texans could be left with T.J. Yates running the show. In addition, Arian Foster not signing with Houston in the offseason would be a major problem.

The most destruction that could be done to this team would be for this defense (ranked second overall) to take a few steps back. Offensive coordinators are currently trying to find a way to outsmart the Texans' ability to limit the run and pass.

Minnesota Vikings

For the first time in his career, Adrian Peterson failed to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark. What's more troubling is the injury that ended his 2011 season.

Against the Washington Redskins on Christmas Eve, Peterson left the field carried by two trainers. The diagnosis was a torn ACL and MCL. He now faces an eight or nine-month recovery process that could jeopardize his status for the start of the 2012 campaign.

Second-year QB Christian Ponder can lead the offense on his own. He needs a quality producer to help carry the load.

New York Jets

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A Mutiny Forms

The soap opera that is the New York Jets sees its main storyline be that of the team's most important player: Mark Sanchez.

After two solid years to start his pro career, the former USC Trojan regressed in year three. Serious questions surround Sanchez's ability to remain New York's starting QB. And this has come from both the media and his own teammates.

You can start to see the signs of divide in this locker room...which could lead to a real divide at any moment.

Washington Redskins

As is the case with all the teams at the start of this list, Mike Shanahan and the Redskins have plenty of holes to fill if they want to be a contender.

Priority No. 1 must be at quarterback. Rex Grossman and his 20 interceptions is not the answer. Washington's brass will be determined to either get one via free agency or through the draft.

If the 'Skins get outbid for available veteran QBs that they want (is that really possible?) and don't find what they're looking for based on the college prospects able, then it's on to keeping the situation as is.

And for a fan base desperate to see their franchise return to prominence, that won't suit well in D.C.